The earth is still laughing...

For some reason, I've been really loving this quote lately. Perhaps it's because we've had such a beautiful spring this year. Although we have had quite a bit of rain-- from humid drizzly days to big bang thunderstorms and even to powerful hailstorms--  it's been well worth it as we are now surrounded by beautiful, lush gardens filled with bright, colorful flowers.

As part of my relaxing day yesterday, we had a very laid-back date night last night. We went out to one of our favorite restaurants and sat outside, basking in what was left of the beautiful day as the sun began to sink. It helps that this restaurant has the best sangria in five states at least.

From there we stopped off at the garden center and bought some pretty pots of hanging daisies. I just love daisies. They really are the friendliest flowers.  We also got several containers of gorgeous lilies in deep, dark colors.

The highlight of the night for my sweetie was when we stopped to get some of his birthday gifts. We are now the proud owners of yet another new television and Blu-ray DVD player that streams Netflix, Pandora, connects to your Internet and Smartphone and, I'm hoping, will pop some popcorn and brew me a cup of tea before it's finished. Of course, I have to laugh about our getting all these electronics just after we were talking about how beautiful it is OUTSIDE. But I guess we're ready for that next rainy day. And he only turns 40 once. In the meantime, I'm still breathing in the gloriousness of the gardens before the brutal summer heat melts them away.

Linking to Sunday Sketches for some great inspiration!

Relaxing in the peaceful jungle of linkland

Perhaps I am revelling too much... No doubt it will backfire.  But for the moment, I am savoring the fact that my daughter will be going home from school with a freiend, spending the night and won't be back until late tomorrow evening.  My sweetie has a busy weekend with work.  I will have practically the whole weekend to myself.

No doubt, by tomorrow evening, I will be anxiously waiting for him to return home for date night.  But this evening, I have plans to relax with a big cup of tea and a few art books I've been dying to have time to pour over. I'll also have all the time in the world to draw inspiration from all the artists at  Paint Party Friday. (Isn't it amazing how rich the internet community is???  I sometimes I picture myself swinging across the vines of a lush jungle linking from one glorious site to another...)   And tomorrow, I'm spahh-ing it up with several appointments, not the least of which is a desperately needed haircut.  Next week, I will be traveling which will be hectic. So, this weekend, I'm going to luxuriate in some quiet alone time. 

Absentee Doodling

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted.  It has been a crazy and  introspective year for me in many ways and while I haven't had much time for "serious" art, I have continued doodling away as a means of distraction, stress release, inspiration, sleep avoidance, work avoidance, chocolate avoidance, etc... :-)

I think part of my issue is that I feel like I shouldn't be posting anything unless it's real art, but my sweetie has been encouraging me to post more often so that I can go back and see trends, progress and sources of inspiration over time.  He is completely right-- smart man!  I find so, so many things that interest me that I want to try and then I lose track of where they came from or how to find them again. 

This year I have been trying to take some online classes.  I keep telling myself that it will be easier to fit them in my schedule when you can take them at your own pace, but I have not been able to carve out the time to really jump in as much as I'd like.  I think I need to take a no travel vacation-- just a couple of weeks off to do nothing but revel in artiness! Doesn't that sound just like heaven??

Late last year, I took Lori Vleigen's LetterLab class and it was wonderful.  I just love Lori's sweet, distinctive style. 

I enjoyed that class so much that I was encouraged to take Joanne Sharpe's LetterLove class.  Also fantastic.  Another artist with a very distinctive style.  I so admire that as I believe I'm still trying to find my own.  This past week, I enrolled in Part II of Joanne's class, called Artful Alphabets. It starts on Monday and I can't wait!

Can you tell that I'm a bit obsessed with lettering?!?

Well, in attempt to broaden my repetoire a bit, I have stumbled upon another class that appears to be a dream!  Martha Lever-- yet another source of great inspiration-- recommended an art "playground" called 21 Secrets.  There are 21 distinct classes-- one taught by Martha, by the way!!-- all wrapped up into one program.  I've enrolled and have only had time to dip my toe in the water, but oooohhh... it looks to be very refreshing.  I'm so looking forward to spending lots of time pouring through the classes and videos this weekend!

With all these classes, I should have plenty to keep me even busier in the upcoming months!  Woo hoo!

In the meantime, I've been trying to keep creativity out in front... when I don't have time to engage in any of that serious art, at least I'm doodling about it.

I've been missing my sweet, creative friends over at Paint Party Friday so I'm linking up there, despite it being late in the day!  A whole collection of great artists there... check it out.  You won't be disappointed!